Music Ensembles Invited to Perform at Statewide Convention

The University of Evansville’s University Choir and Wind Ensemble are among a select group of collegiate ensembles invited to perform at the Indiana Music Educators’ Association annual convention in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

As part of the IMEA convention, a professional development conference for Indiana music teachers, the Wind Ensemble will present a free, public concert at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 18 at Fort Wayne’s Grand Wayne Convention Center, Hall C. The University Choir will perform at 2:30 p.m. Friday, January 18 at Fort Wayne’s First Presbyterian Church, and for the high school Indiana All-State Honor Choir that evening.

The performances at the IMEA state convention are part of the University Choir’s and Wind Ensemble’s joint Winter Tour, which includes private performances at Evansville’s North High School, Olney Central College in Olney, Illinois, and East Noble High School in Kendallville, Indiana.

One of four choirs at the University of Evansville, the University Choir has built a reputation for performances of major choral-orchestral masterworks, a cappella music ranging from the Renaissance through the 21st century, part songs, and spirituals. In May 2011, the University Choir joined five other choirs from Indiana, Kentucky, New York, and California to perform Haydn’s Paukenmesse at Carnegie Hall in New York City with the New England Symphonic Ensemble. This milestone performance for the choir was conducted by University of Evansville’s director of choral activities, Dennis Malfatti.

At the IMEA convention, the University Choir’s program will include works by UE faculty member William Hemminger and alumnus Ronald Kauffmann. The choir’s performance at the 2013 IMEA convention is their second IMEA appearance in recent years, having also been invited to perform at the convention in 2010. That same year, the choir had the privilege to perform in a master class with the world-renowned vocal sextet, the King’s Singers.

The University of Evansville Wind Ensemble is composed of UE’s finest brass, woodwind, and percussion performers. The ensemble performs a wide variety of literature from major masterworks for the modern wind band to more intimate chamber literature. The ensemble is also actively involved in commissioning and performing new works. In addition to its campus concerts, the group represents the University both regionally and nationally. Membership is by audition and is open to UE students of any major.